- CanWest Global Communications Corp. founder and chairman
Israel Asper -- who took the company from a single Winnipeg TV station
to an international media empire -- has died, the company said Tuesday.
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- Mr. Asper was admitted to St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg
at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and he passed away shortly after, CanWest said.
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- His wife Babs, sons David and Leonard and daughter Gail
were present.
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- The cause of his death was not given. He was 71.
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- "The company feels a sense of profound loss on the
passing of our founder, who distinguished himself as a visionary business
leader, a caring leader in his encouragement and financial support of worthy
causes, and as a champion of Israel," CanWest said in a statement.
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- Mr. Asper retired form his post as executive chairman
with CanWest in January, 2003, to devote his time to philanthropic pursuits,
which including the establishment in Winnipeg of the Canadian Human Rights
Museum.
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- He remained active, however, as chairman of CanWest's
board. The company said his successor would be named in due course.
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- Leonard Asper was appointed as CanWest's president and
chief executive officer in 1999 as part of a succession plan for the company.
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- Speaking with reporters in Ottawa, Prime Minister Jean
ChrÈtien offered his condolences to the Asper family.
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- "He will be difficult to replace," Mr. ChrÈtien
said.
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- Born in Minnedosa, Man., Mr. Asper was the son of Ukrainian
migrants fleeing anti-Jewish pogroms.
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- Mr. Asper, a self-made man, began his empire with the
purchase of the television station, CKND, which he and others had acquired
in 1975 for $500,000.
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- Mr. Asper built CanWest into an international media giant,
building a television and print network across Canada. It also has broadcasting
interests in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.
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- CanWest was founded and continues to be headquartered
in Winnipeg.
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- In addition to the Global television network, CanWest
also owns the National Post -- which it bought alongside other Hollinger
Inc. assets in 2000 -- as well as 13 daily newspapers across Canada and
48 daily and weekly papers in smaller communities.
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- "Izzy Asper has left a legacy of pride for his family,
a television network for all Canadians, and a business empire for his colleagues,"
said Gerald Schwartz, who founded CanWest with Mr. Asper.
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- "His leadership in the Canadian Jewish community
is a loss that will not easily be overcome.
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- Mr. Asper was inducted as an Officer of the Order in
Canada in 1995. He was also inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of
Fame the following year.
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- Fiercely loyal to his home province, Mr. Asper was also
the former leader of the Manitoba Liberal party.
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- Funeral arrangements were to be announced later.
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Reserved.
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